The Fainting Club, Berlin
Hosted by Lesley Moon & Founder Zoe Crosher
The very first Berlin Fainting Club Dinner will honor the 102nd anniversary of the clamorous debut of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”.
It will reminisce upon the original performance that took place in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, on May 29, 1913, and was choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, conducted by Pierre Monteux & performed by Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes.
The short story is this: Several minutes after the debut of The Rite of Spring, a riot erupted in the audience in reaction to the dissonant music and avant garde choreography. Punches were thrown, vegetables lobbed at the dancers, and the police were called. More than 40 people were arrested that evening at the ballet.
Notes:
the stomp of the dancers
who brings vegetables to a ballet?
the artist as folkloric player
the dancing body
innovation & the “sacrifice” as a sign of patriarchy
Sergei Diaghilev: “Will it last a very long time this way?”
(Stravinsky replied: “To the end, my dear.”)
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Founded by artist Zoe Crosher, the “Fainting Club is an old boys’ club, for girls. It gathers over food and drinks when inspiration strikes, and aims to strike its members with inspiration. It celebrates and draws creative women from multiple disciplines—artists, writers, filmmakers, chefs, musicians—and welcomes any and all like-minded souls. Started in Los Angeles and based on the knowledge that strong, interesting and intelligent women are more powerful as a group, the club has begun to expand internationally. It now has chapters in New York, Mexico City, London and Hong Kong. All new members must be invited in person or, if distance prevents this, verbally, as connection and conversation are key to the club’s purpose. The only requirement for joining is a generous, collaborative spirit and a willingness to support other women.” – Charlotte Druckman
Please see more here
View an article about the Fainting Club in The New York Times T Magazine here
To find out more about The Fainting Club, or about throwing a Fainting Club Fete in your neck of the woods,
please email me at z@zoecrosher.com
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT ZOE CROSHER 2025
CONTACT: Z@ZOECROSHER.COM
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